Momentum leader working out of Jeremy Corbyn’s office

The founder and head of Momentum, the hard-Left activist group accused of bullying and intimidation by moderate Labour MPs, has been working out of Jeremy Corbyn’s office.

Jon Lansman was seen four times last month using a desk in the Labour leader’s set of rooms in Parliament according to multiple sources.

The news undermines previous claims that Momentum is run independently from Mr Corbyn’s office after a series of fierce rows about the group’s behaviour towards MPs.

It's clear that Momentum is working hand-in-hand with the Leader's office as the vanguard for Jeremy CorbynLabour MP

Momentum has been accused of bullying Labour MPs to vote against bombing Isil in Syria and attempting to force moderates out of the party by triggering re-selection races.

MPs said the revelation proved the group is “working hand-in-hand” with Mr Corbyn and demanded the Labour leader “come clean” about his control over the group.

It comes after growing tensions between Momentum and Labour MPs on the right of the party who are concerned about the leadership’s direction.

Corbyn: "Whatever the vote, the Labour party's agenda won't change"

01:26

The group was created from Mr Corbyn’s leadership campaign last year but has drawn criticism from leading moderates over its hard-Left policy agenda and tactics.

Tom Watson, the Labour deputy leader, once described the group as a “rabble” while other MPs were infuriated with their lobbying tactics to defeat a vote for air strikes in Syria.

Many became convinced Mr Corbyn and his office was working with Momentum over the vote and other policy agendas – a claim always denied by the Labour leader’s team.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn address the GMB Congress at the Bournemouth International Centre on June 5Credit:
Matt Cardy/Getty Images

However in recent weeks Labour sources have become alarmed that Mr Lansman – who has held a parliamentary pass sponsored by an MP– was working in Mr Corbyn’s suite of offices in Westminster’s Norman Shaw South building.

One source said he had been seen four times in a fortnight last month, often working from the same desk in a room occupied by Mr Corbyn’s junior staff. A second source confirmed the frequency of visits.

One Labour MP left angry at the set-up said: “It's clear that Momentum is working hand-in-hand with the Leader's office as the vanguard for Jeremy Corbyn.

Corbyn joins steel workers for march on Parliament

01:28

“Their activists have little loyalty to Labour and behave more like members of a cult than a political party. The idea that they're separate from Corbyn and his team is a joke.

“They're stuffed with hard left activists who couldn't care less if Labour councillors and MPs are elected.”

Another said: “It just confirms what everyone suspected. Corbyn should come clean about his links to Momentum.” The MP also suggested the arrangement could break rules about running political pressure groups from inside Parliament.

BBC's Laura Kuenssberg hissed at by Corbyn supporters

00:53

The sightings come as a major shake-up of Mr Corbyn’s inner team after a disappointing set of council election results saw left-wing loyalists promoted to key positions.

Andrew Fisher, an aide to John McDonnell who faced suspension last year for promoting non-Labour candidates at the election, was made overall director of policy. His predecessor Neale Coleman had quit after clashes with other figures in Mr Corbyn’s team.

Sources close to the leadership played down Mr Lansman’s visits, saying he did not have a permanent desk and was not working out of the office full time.

Mr Lansman said: “I have regular meetings in the Leader's office and may often be seen there but Momentum has its own offices elsewhere from which I work. A small number of Labour MPs are indeed critical of many things but often without foundation.”